This project is, in essence, humble implementation of DataFlow from Magento for Ubercart. Check out about the DataFlow here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tkl_6n72iI

The proposal was submitted for SoC 2008 over at g.d.o: http://groups.drupal.org/node/9650#comment-33994

I am posting here again to get feedbacks from Ubercart community to plan for materialization of the project with community support as the proposal wasn't accepted for SoC.

ABSTRACT:
This project aims to create DataExchange framework for Ubercart to handle exporting and importing of data in reference to DataMaps. This will make Ubercart easily extensible to communicate with external applications such as Google Base, BaseCamp, Salesforce and Quickbooks through DataMaps. This framework has potential to be extended to support Drupal's core and module data in the future.

BENEFITS TO DRUPAL/OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY:
The outcome of this project will benefit Ubercart users greatly. Basically, the framework will enable batch updating/editing of Ubercart data with preferred data editor outside then importing into Ubercart. Moreover, it can communicate with custom external applications through custom DataMaps which can be easily created in the framework. Hence, exchanging data in and out of 3rd party applications or web services (Google Base, Shopping.com, Amazon, QuickBooks, BaseCamp, Salesforce etc.) could be easily handled with just a few clicks.

PROJECT DETAILS:
The framework is based on four components: Adapters, Parsers, Mappers and Validators. The framework will be packed as a Drupal Module.

= Adapters fetch data and files from external resources. Supported resources are Local files, FTP & SFTP servers, Web Services, HTTP interface, and Database tables of Ubercart.

= Parsers convert one data from another as needed by data exchange process. Supported formats are CVS, XML, Excel XML and Database tables of Ubercart.

= Mappers do the data brokering as defined by DataMaps.

= Validators verify that certain conditions are met. This project will support XML validation against DTD.

The project will focus on handling Ubercart product data with attributes before other Ubercart data types.

DELIVERABLES:
= DataExchange Module
-- Robust framework built on four components that are extensible
-- Interface to easily create DataMaps
-- Support for various Ubercart data; products, customers, orders

= Sample DataMaps for Google Base, SugarCRM, Shopping.com etc

= Screencasts
-- Creation of DataMaps
-- Importing and exporting process